Kalki 2898 AD Movie Review: Avatar of Lord Krishna

Kalki 2898 AD Movie Review: Avatar of Lord Krishna 

 

The story begins with a powerful scene set on the 18th day of the Mahabharata War. Lord Krishna has a fateful conversation with Ashwatthama, the son of Guru Dronacharya, played by Amitabh Bachchan. Krishna tells Ashwatthama that while his own end is near, Ashwatthama's sin will prolong his existence until Krishna's rebirth as Kalki in the Kaliyuga. Angered by Ashwatthama's act of destroying the unborn child in the Pandava family, Krishna curses him to live on and states that Ashwatthama can only be freed from this curse by saving Krishna when he is reborn.

 

In a dystopian future, Yashkin, portrayed by Kamal Haasan, has lived for years after centuries of running. He has enslaved people and built the last city on Earth in Kashi. Prabhas enters this city as a bounty hunter, where a rule dictates that acquiring one million units allows access to the complex where Yashkin resides. Prabhas competes fiercely in this harsh environment, while Yashkin pursues a sinister plan involving extracting a serum from the embryos of several women.

 

During this time, Deepika Padukone's character develops a child in her womb, and it is discovered that this child is Krishna reincarnated. Amitabh Bachchan's Ashwatthama, burdened by his centuries-long curse, seeks out Deepika upon learning of her significance. The story unfolds with Prabhas aiding Deepika and Ashwatthama in their quest, while Yashkin's relentless pursuit of his goal adds to the tension and drama.

 

Director Nag Ashwin deserves commendation for his ambitious project, merging the ancient mythology of the Mahabharata with modern technology and a grand narrative vision. The film's impressive graphics rival those of major international films, and the intricate world Yashkin inhabits is depicted with grandeur. Highlights include a massive figure used as an elevator, the creepy transformation into a gorilla robot during the climax, and the thrill of chasing in the second half.

 

Despite its grandeur, the film's first half tests the audience's patience. Prabhas's character initially seems comedic but gradually evolves into a more significant role. Kamal Haasan's character seems slighter. The cinematography is top-notch, and while Santhosh Narayanan's songs overhang his background score is superb. The VFX scenes and the chase sequences in the second half, culminating in Prabhas's character's revelation, are particularly noteworthy.